Internship Program at TMCC

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Internship Features

Internships are courses which integrate classroom study with relevant hands-on experience by allowing the student to use their education and training in an actual “real world” work environment to gain industry experience. Theory and practice are blended by training in career-related areas of professional interest. This method of instruction serves as a testing ground to make a student’s educational program more relevant and meaningful while permitting employers to identify and select well-trained personnel.

Internship Benefits

Internships narrow career choices and focus on career goals, allowing students to inquire and learn more about a profession and, at the same time, gain insight about a specific industry or career field. Internships apply what a student learns in the classroom and transfers up to date knowledge and trends to the workplace, encompassing a progressive partnership for the community.

Internships build a professional network and offer a student the opportunity to “get their foot in the door” of a particular industry or company, and the student meets people in the industry and gains professional contacts. While employment is not guaranteed, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 70% of employers say they would hire their student interns for full-time positions after graduation before looking elsewhere.

For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Interns Gain Real World Experience

TMCC's Internship Program creates a collaborative partnership between faculty, students, employers, and an internship coordinator, offering valuable hands-on experience for students while strengthening ties with the local community. This progressive approach ensures that students gain practical skills and insights, benefiting both their academic and career development.

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Internship Program Eligibility

To be eligible for an internship, a student must:

  • Complete a department’s specified number of credits toward a declared degree, emphasis or certificate and/or have met published pre-requisites.
  • Be within the last two semesters of your academic goal completion.
  • Have a 2.5 GPA or higher to qualify for the internship program.
  • Available to work the necessary hours as agreed to by the employer partner, faculty sponsor, and student in a position directly related to the student’s major area of study.
  • Be able to identify, with the assistance of the employer and faculty sponsor, a set of job-related learning objectives and outcomes that will enhance the student’s career development.
  • Have own health insurance coverage.
  • Exceptions may be considered. 

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If you are currently employed and would like to complete a student internship with your current employer; they must agree to enhance your current job requirements in such a way that “new learning” will take place during the internship semester. Academic credit will not be awarded for performing current job duties.

In some academic programs, student internships are a part of the instructional program and are required for graduation. The total number of internship credit hours a student may apply to a degree in a specific instructional program is established by that specific department. For programs in which student internships are not required, they may be considered an approved substitute or an elective with the permission of the faculty sponsor and/or department chair.

For information on the roles and involvement the student, faculty, employer and coordinator play in the internship process, please see our Teamwork Coordination page.

How are Internship Credits and Grades Earned?

Internship credits can range from one to eight credits with departmental/program approval. Transferability of these credits is contingent upon approval of the receiving institution. Credit is awarded at a rate of 45 hours of work per credit for the successful accomplishment of specific, individualized occupational learning outcome, work-time requirement and an employer evaluation. Students may work more hours than required for assigned credits. However, no extra credit is given for more hours than required unless prior arrangements are made.

The student's grade will be determined by the faculty sponsor and will be based on the attendance report, the student evaluation form submitted by the employer partner and other assignments required by the faculty sponsor.

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For more information regarding TMCC's Internship Program, please contact us.